The former managing editor of the News of the World has been arrested on suspicion of phone hacking and inappropriate payments to police, according to reports.

A 71-year-old man was released on bail after being questioned at a north London police station, Scotland Yard said.

He is thought to be Stuart Kuttner, 71, who resigned as the newspaper's managing editor in July 2009.

Kuttner has previously denied his decision to quit, shortly before the Guardian disclosed the News of the World paid out more than £1 million to settle cases which threatened to reveal evidence of alleged phone-hacking, was related to the issue.

At the time of his resignation, he was described by then-editor Colin Myler as a man whose "DNA is absolutely integrated into the newspaper which he has represented across the media with vigour".

He was an "outstanding managing editor" who was "a major driving force behind the success of Sarah's Law", Mr Myler said.

Officers from Operation Weeting, who investigate phone hacking, and Operation Elveden, who investigate inappropriate payments to police, made the arrest, Scotland Yard said.

Alan Rusbridger, editor in chief of the Guardian, said on Twitter that it was Kuttner who had been arrested. Several other media outlets also reported that the man being questioned was Kuttner.

He is the 11th person to be arrested since Scotland Yard's fresh investigation into phone hacking was launched in January.

These include a series of high-profile figures, including former News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks and ex-Downing Street communications chief Andy Coulson.